Exhaust system for industrial processes

A method for removing smoke, steam, fumes and such exhaust gases from a work station in a building where an industrial operation of the type generating said gases is being carried on comprising the steps of:

• a. enclosing the sides, rear, top and bottom of the work station leaving an open front side;
• b. generating a vertical air curtain across said open front side in which the air moves from bottom to top;
• c. said air curtain being formed by:
• i. providing an exhaust outlet with negative air pressure along the upper edge of said open front side through which said exhaust gases pass and at least a portion thereof are subjected to gas separation and released to the atmosphere outside said building,
• ii. introducing fresh air from a source other than the air inside the building around said work station toward said outlet through delivery nozzle along the lower edge of said open front side.

An improved ventilating system for manufacturing operations of a type in which two diverse types of machines are utilized, one type of machine having a work table surrounded on two sides, the back and top by a wall-like enclosure leaving an open front side and generating a substantial amount of exhaust gases which must be withdrawn, the other type of machine also generating exhaust gases which must be withdrawn, and both of which requiring replacement air to replenish the air exhausted to withdraw said gases, said system comprising:

• a. an air exhaust means positioned above said enclosure communicating with the air space above said work table along said open front side and including a first fan for removing said exhaust gases from said air space;
• b. an air delivery means introducing air from a point below the front edge of said work table toward said exhaust means and including a second fan for drawing in air from the outside;
• c. the air from said air delivery means forming a generally vertical air curtain extending between said inlet means and said exhaust means, whereby said smoke and fumes are confined within the air space above said work table until withdrawn through said exhaust means, and further whereby said air delivery means provides a source of replacement air to replenish the volume of air withdrawn, so that conditioned air in the work room surrounding said textile machine is substantially unaffected;
• d. a recirculating means for removing a portion of the air withdrawn by said air exhaust means and returning said removed portion to said work area to provide additional make-up air for replenishing the volume of air withdrawn;
• e. first duct means connecting said other type of machine with said air delivery nozzle of said one type of machine whereby at least part of the exhausted air from said other type of machine provides replacement air to be introduced to the delivery nozzle of said one type of machine;
• f. second duct means connecting said other type of machine with a source of fresh outside air.

An improved ventilating system for industrial machines of the type having a work table at which a substantial amount of contaminated exhaust gases are generated, said system comprising:

• a. a wall extending along at least one side of said work table and leaving at least one open side;
• b. an air exhaust means positioned above and spaced from said work table along the upper edge of said wall, said exhaust means communicating with the air space above said work table along said open side and including a first fan for moving said exhaust gases from said air space;
• c. an air delivery means introducing air from a point below the open edges of said work table toward said exhaust means and including a second fan for drawing in air from the outside;
• d. the air from said air delivery means forming at least one generally vertical air curtain extending between said air delivery means and said exhaust means, whereby said exhaust gases are confined within the air space above said work table until withdrawn through said exhaust means, and further whereby said air delivery means provides a source of replacement air to replenish the volume of air withdrawn, so that conditioned air in the work room surrounding said industrial machine is substantially unaffected;
• e. a recirculating means for withdrawing a portion of the removed exhaust gases and returning said removed portion to said work area to provide additional make-up air for replenishing the volume of air withdrawn.